The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-03-05
FINE TABLE LINEN.
Elegant Patterns for Table-Cloths, Nap
kias, Luncheon Sets and Dcylies.


opportunities for admiring it are more
numerous. For table service nothing
is too dainty, nothing too beautiful, and
so must have thought the designers of
the snowy covers and napkins, the ex-
quisite doylies and the handsome lunch
con sets. The best patterns are now
found in table-cloths that are sold by the
yard, as well as in those woven sepa-
rately with a border on all sides. In
woven cloths the sizes vary, so that a
cover for very large as well as very
small table is obtainable. Among the
newest and most effective weavings is
one known as crackle work, the design
reproducing the effect of crackle ware.
In the angles formed by the converging
lines of one cover having the crackle
weaving are acorns; and upon another
are notwithstanding daisies. Another
cover has large cloyer-leaves strewn
singly over it, and still another has
peaches brought out in beautiful luster.
The design of the border is often differ
ent from the center. For instance, the
cloth having large clover-leaf design
has fve-pointed stars between two Greek
scrolls for its border; that having
peaches upon it has an architectural
design that looks like a Corinthian cor
nice surmounted by spear-heads in
groups of three.
Napkins match the table covers in
design and vary in size from twenty
one to thirty inches. They are usually
square, but what is known as a French
napkin is oblong. 1t is noticeable that
French table-linen displays very airy
designs, with a leaning toward roses,
palms and other floral patterns; but
the demand for it is only in the best
qualities. Its beautiful luster must
always be admired even while the dur
ability and beauty Of Irish goods Of the
best class are conceded. Indeed, in the
development of flax products each
county where the plant is raised seems
to have paid special attention to the
development of some particular result.
Scotch goods, even in their lowest
grades, yield good service; while in the
medium qualities German linens are I'M
! surpassed.
The question is sometimes asked
whether the same style of table linen is
used for breakfast as for dinner. This
depends on many things, principal
among which are the circumstances
governing the service Of the morning
meal, A white cover is never out of
place upon the breakfast table, but it is
not essential to the proper serving of
the light repast which often precedes
an early dinner. Breakfast napkins
, are smaller than those used at dinner.
Of course, everybody's taste is not
suited by cover of white linen, no
matter how fine or how beautiful it
may be, and at ceremonious dinners
the center of the cloth is sometimes
overlaid with square of linen show
ing elaborate drawn-work, Sometimes
a stripe of drawn-work extends through
the center or along each side of the
cover, showing stripe of satin or
plush placed underneath.
Luncheon sets invite the use of much
ornamentation, and many adiectives
might be employed in their description.
Perhaps the briefest summary of their
beauty may be expressed by saying
that they are very artistic. Holbein
sets, which at little distance appear
to be of II single faint color, display up
on inspection two colors upon creamy
background, which softens the other
tints beautifully. Both colors are
woven in an arabesque design which
Stimulates old tapestry, and the effect
is especially good. Darker sets pre-
sent almost as conglomerate an inter-
mingling of colors as cashmere shawl
or an oriental rug, and are thick, but
light in texture. They are all consid-
cred fast colors. but their laundering is
something which one would instinctive-
ly postpone as long as the first fresh
ness remained. A handsome luncheon
set, consisting of table-cloth and
twelve napkins, that would please the
seeker after nice but inexpensive goods,
is Of monte linen with a Kensington
border inside II netted fringe.
Doylies. At their mention there comes
to mind squares of silk and linen so
woven as 20 appear all silk, bits of fine
sam with hem-stitching and drawn
We Don them, tiny morsels of linen
oyc ,ught with the fairy blossoms of
,he Indeed no fancy of The brain
is too original to be worked out upon
hess Astle ornaments, for that is what
hey &Sa. Upon The embroidered ones
;he work is usually done at home, but
any design admired will be developed
~ shop-keepers who supply them. Even
!he laundering of Il set of table linen is
low accomplished, if so ordered, before
t is delivered to the purchaser
In marking bedroom or table linen
;he initials, singly or interlaced, of the
'ady of the house or the initial or en-
olem Of her family are preferred if the
articles are among the provisions of her
! 'amily for her establishment in house,
Sceping; and sometimes this preference
! - maintained even when she has becn